RE: [CR]Modern and classic microadjust posts and more

(Example: Racing:Jacques Boyer)

From: "Mark Petry" <bpmpetry@bainbridgeisland.net>
To: rabbitman@mindspring.com, classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
Subject: RE: [CR]Modern and classic microadjust posts and more
Date: Thu, 1 Nov 2001 17:32:01 -0800


For those of you still struggling with the special Campy wrench alluded to in the message below, accessory maker Topeak makes a very spiffy 8 / 10 mm "micro-ratchet" wrench that makes adjusting those micro-adjusting seatposts really easy. The ratchet in this wrench is actually a roller clutch, so you can turn the bolt with a very few degrees of swing.

This is one of the few tools out there that beats the crap out of it's equivalent from Snap-On.

markp Normally Bainbridge Island but enjoying the sunset on Coronado Island today.


---- Original Message ----
From: rabbitman@mindspring.com
To: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
Subject: RE: [CR]Modern and classic microadjust posts and more
Date: Thu, 01 Nov 2001 19:16:42 -0500


>I am still working on getting my significant other's bike

\r?\n>comfortable for her. We are working with hidden padding under the

\r?\n>bike tape in a small critical part of the drops, a modern

\r?\n>Specialized seat with the "nerve tunnel" and now the microadjust

\r?\n>seat post. Everything I do seem to improve things for her, including

\r?\n>finding a Cinelli stem that seems to measure 11.5 cm.

\r?\n>

\r?\n>The question is, now that we have found that only a microadjust seat

\r?\n>post will achieve the perfect seat tilt, we will keep an eye out for

\r?\n>a more classic version. Those of you that follow our family bike

\r?\n>dramas know that her race bike is not quite a classic by year, but a

\r?\n>Giordana lugged steel, made by Tomessini and equipped with dt

\r?\n>Shimano indexed 7 speed ( the most functional race set-up ever made

\r?\n>IMHO). I purchased a new cheap microadjust that I cleaned up with a

\r?\n>dremel grinder and polishing wheel. The final result is very

\r?\n>functional, easy to use, but somewhat Frankensteinish, with the two

\r?\n>bolts coming out like twin monster electrodes (you know the style).

\r?\n>

\r?\n>I never had the good fortune to own a Campy microadjust (either the

\r?\n>super classic campy that requires a special wrench to get at the

\r?\n>bolt under the seat, or the 80's version that was supposedly a big

\r?\n>improvement). How did that second version work, and what would I

\r?\n>have to be willing to pay for it in a 27.2 size? I can't picture how

\r?\n>the newer Campy would function by looking a E. Sloane's picture of

\r?\n>it.

\r?\n>

\r?\n>My second question is did Raleigh possibly order 531-C tubing in a

\r?\n>27.0 seat tube size? My 80's Raleigh seems to have a shade more than

\r?\n>usual resistance to a 27.2 post even when greased. The collar has

\r?\n>definitely never suffered from overtightening, nor is there excess

\r?\n>flashing on the lug that might cause a bit of binding. 27.2 seat

\r?\n>posts still slide in and out with a firm twisting hand, but it

\r?\n>doesn't go like butter. Would 27.0 be a better fit, or should I not

\r?\n>even try, if 27.2 is still very workable? Are different seat lugs

\r?\n>slightly differently sized historically?

\r?\n>

\r?\n>I clean the frame with simple green or just a moist cloth. Aluminum

\r?\n>parts, I clean with WD-40 or just Kerosene, which I guess is the

\r?\n>same thing. Detergent motor oil works well too, and I prefer it. If

\r?\n>something is very dirty, I use Gojo hand cleaner or even brake

\r?\n>cleaner! I just started cleaning the chain with Finish Lines'

\r?\n>plastic gizmo and Ecotech biodegradable cleaner in the device. The

\r?\n>result seems to be just as clean as it can be, but the problem with

\r?\n>chains is not dissolving dirt but getting the silica based sandy

\r?\n>grit out of the inner parts. Once you dissolve the oil the brushes

\r?\n>seem to agitate it out. I finish with Finish Line's "dry?" chain

\r?\n>lube with Teflon. Now the Regina chain is sweet and soft across the

\r?\n>Regina freewheel (like fine metals singing in the wind).

\r?\n>

\r?\n>Garth Libre, happily training in high 70's South Florida, Surfside.

\r?\n>Tonight's ride had me keeping up a steady 30 mph for 0.75 of a mile

\r?\n>in 52-15, which qualifies me as a rather fast women rider. Too bad I

\r?\n>am a man. Hasta luego, amigos mios.